Head-to-head · Independent comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs Upcomers
How Apex Trader Funding and Upcomers stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
Strong value and flexibility for active futures traders, balanced against simulated-funding mechanics and a strict trailing drawdown.
Broad product line and a genuinely high split on Thunderbolt funded; trailing drawdown and heavy 'up to' framing are the trade-offs.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterEntry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterMax funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterOur editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | Apex Trader Funding | Upcomers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 5.0 | 4.0 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 3.0 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Transparency | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
Apex Trader Funding
Upcomers
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
Apex Trader Funding
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Intraday eval | Profit target | 25K $1,500; 50K $3,000; 100K $6,000; 150K $9,000 |
| Intraday eval | Trailing drawdown | Follows Peak Balance (incl. unrealized); 25K $1,000 → 150K $4,000 |
| Intraday eval | Daily loss limit | None in eval (optional DLL; EOD Trail option offered) |
| Intraday eval | Contract limits | 25K 4 (40 micro); 50K 6; 100K 8; 150K 12 |
| Eval | Minimum trading days | None — may pass in a single day (30-day access) |
| Funded (PA) | Consistency | 50% consistency rule applies (none in eval) |
| All | Prohibited styles | No hedging/offsetting across accounts; rule-circumvention closes the account |
Upcomers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge | Profit target | 5% net profit |
| Challenge | Daily loss limit | 6% max within a single day |
| Challenge | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 10% below highest equity (trailing) |
| Challenge | Minimum trading days | None |
| Challenge | Consistency / Best Day Rule | Does not apply |
| Funded | Daily loss limit | 3% max daily loss |
| Funded | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 6% below peak equity (trailing) |
| Funded | Max risk per trade | 3% of initial balance (hard breach) |
| Funded | Consistency (Best Day Rule) | No single day > 20% of total withdrawal (soft) |
| Funded | Profit split | 99% to trader |
| Funded | Withdrawal requirement | Reach 1% profit on initial balance first |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
Apex Trader Funding
Strengths
- One-time evaluation fee (no recurring billing on new products) with frequent deep discount codes.
- 100% of requested rewards retained in simulated funded accounts, with a 5-trading-day cadence.
- No minimum trading days and no consistency rule in the evaluation — can pass quickly.
- Up to 20 accounts allowed and multiple platform/data vendors to choose from.
Cons & open risks
- Performance Accounts are explicitly simulated; payouts are discretionary, and 6 payouts close the PA.
- The Intraday Trailing Drawdown follows peak balance including unrealized gains — punishing if you give back open profit.
- A 50% consistency rule applies to funded accounts even though the eval has none.
- Site states services are intended for US users only — international eligibility must be checked.
Upcomers
Strengths
- Documented, public rules and a help center you can read before buying.
- Wide range of account sizes and products (challenge + instant funding).
- High advertised profit split (up to 99%, verified at 99% on Thunderbolt funded).
- No minimum trading days on the Thunderbolt challenge.
- States it does not act as a broker or accept deposits for investment.
Cons & open risks
- Headline figures (up to $1.5M, up to 99%) are maximums, not typical outcomes.
- Profit split and rules vary by product — 99% is verified only on Thunderbolt funded.
- Trailing drawdown (“Dynamic Risk Shield”) is stricter than a static limit.
- Promotional pricing changes frequently and is not permanent.
- Self-reported metrics (e.g. 99% payout approval) are not independently audited.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Our take
Which should you choose?
These two are closely matched — "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
Apex is a high-volume futures evaluation firm with trader-friendly mechanics — one-time fees, fast passes, and 100% requested rewards in sim funded accounts — frequently paired with steep discount codes. The trade-offs are a simulated funded environment with discretionary payouts, a peak-balance trailing drawdown, and a 6-payout-per-account cap. The Prop Examiner has no affiliate relationship with Apex at this time.
Upcomers documents its rules publicly and offers an unusually broad product line with a genuinely high split on its Thunderbolt funded product. The trade-offs are a trailing “Dynamic Risk Shield” drawdown that is less forgiving than a static limit, heavy reliance on “up to” headline figures, and promo pricing that shifts. It is a reasonable option to compare if you read the rules for your exact product, treat the headline numbers as ceilings, and start with the smallest suitable plan.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
Apex Trader Funding vs Upcomers FAQ
- Is Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers better?
- Our independent ratings: Apex Trader Funding 4.0/5, Upcomers 4.4/5. They are closely matched on our scorecard — the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers?
- Lowest advertised entry price: Apex Trader Funding from $100, Upcomers from $39. Upcomers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: Apex Trader Funding 100%, Upcomers 99%. Apex Trader Funding advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers pay out faster?
- Apex Trader Funding: 5 trading days between payouts; $500 minimum; max 6 payouts per PA then it closes. Upcomers: On-demand after 1% profit; “12h” advertised, <1h avg claimed. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.Apex — homepage / product selector & instruments· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Evaluations (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Payouts (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.Apex — Payouts page· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.Upcomers — homepage (headline claims)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Upcomers — how we operate· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Upcomers — Thunderbolt complete rules· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.Upcomers — instruments & platforms· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.Upcomers — affiliate program terms· accessed 2026-06-17
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